Article by Riana Maxim, volunteer within GIL Baia Mare.

 

Education is a public service of utmost importance, with an essential role both in the formation of any individual and in the harmonious development of each country. With over 7 million beneficiaries, education requires constant changes and improvements in its quality.

 

Thus, with small steps we can make considerable changes both locally and on a large scale. Starting from the idea “Change starts with you”, joining forces and calling on the competent local authorities, we can make the level of education quality increase gradually and regularly.

In this sense, change can start even “from the grassroots”, by regulating a few measures such as:

 

• Improvement and correct use of infrastructure in educational institutions.

Our city has many newly installed devices in schools (known as “smartboards”) that have great potential, but we are facing connection problems and difficulties in using them due to a lack of training for both students and the teachers.

 

• Implementation of personal (and especially female) hygiene items in all educational institutions.

With such a simple measure, we could make such a big change. The regular lack of personal hygiene items (such as toilet paper or liquid soap) in school bathrooms is a big problem in the quality of education. Moreover, instituting free menstrual products in schools would be a beneficial measure for millions of schoolgirls. An example of good practice would be the one in the Capital, where in two schools in sector 6 there are dispensers with absorbents.

 

• Introduction of interactive classes

According to a study carried out by the Institute of Educational Sciences, “students want interactive classes, more practical, recreational and sports activities and complain about the “excess of the teacher’s authority” and the unattractive way of teaching subjects, mainly based on theoretical notions” – text taken from Ziarul Lumina – August 12, 2015.

The example of good practice comes from Finnish school education, which does not focus on memorizing information at all, but on the practical things that children learn in classes. For example, the concept of exploration-based learning has recently been taken up. Instead of regular lessons in stand-alone subjects, there are 6-week sessions in which students study a particular subject from several points of view.

 

• Strengthening the relationship between student and teacher

We are faced daily with students who are ashamed or intimidated by the teachers, because there is this barrier between the two communities. A good student-teacher relationship supports the student’s adjustment and helps the student develop socially.

Thus, we can be inspired by the example of good practice offered by other countries such as Spain, Finland, Switzerland, etc., where the relationship between teacher and student is in the first place, the atmosphere is much more relaxed, the teachers are friendlier and call to a multitude of recreational activities that are based on knowing the students’ interests. Thus, the excess of authority on the part of the teaching staff disappears, and the students are much more involved and happy to participate in the classes.

 

• Grading system

Due to competition and peer pressure, students end up placing a high value on grades, which causes stress and causes them to memorize certain lessons only to return home at the end of the day with a “good grade” and no new information.

Taking inspiration from the grading system of other countries, the one based on qualifications (or percentage) would be a very good solution to make students get rid of the care of grades and learn out of pleasure and curiosity, not because of a sense of fear.

 

So, we are the only ones who can make a change, and with small steps, dedication and the necessary will we are able to improve the level of quality of education, starting from the very “grassroots”.

 

The project is implemented by The Romanian Academic Society in partnership with the Act For Tomorrow Association and Vellenes Fellesorganisasjon and benefits from a 249.989 euros grant from Active Citizens Fund Romania, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants Grants 2014 -2021. The content of this website does not necessarily reflect the official position of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021; for more information, visit www.eeagrants.org. More details about Active Citizens Fund Romania are available at www.activecitizensfund.ro.